Encarnacion turned his career around this past season by going from a relative afterthought to one of the American League's most prolific hitters. Along the way, he earned a lucrative multiyear contract extension and provided a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for Toronto.

The Blue Jays spent much of the past three years talking about Encarnacion's potential at the plate, but it wasn't until this season that he put everything together and became a mainstay in the heart of Toronto's lineup.

Encarnacion ranked among the AL leaders in almost all of the major offensive categories. He finished fourth in homers (42), tied for third in RBIs (110), third in OPS (.941), fifth in OBP (.384) and 10th in extra-base hits (66).

Midway through the year, Toronto ensured that Encarnacion would remain a big part of its future by locking up the first baseman/designated hitter to a three-year, $29 million contract with a club option in 2016.

Rajai Davis also earned himself a nomination for Play of the Year with his Spiderman catch against the Yankees on Aug. 12. Davis climbed the 10-foot wall at Rogers Centre with a well-timed jump to take a homer away from New York's Casey McGehee.

The 32-year-old Davis is just 5-foot-10, but he possesses an impressive vertical jump and said afterwards that it was a play he frequently practiced.

Major League Baseball's A-listers will take home 2012 GIBBYs trophies -- the ultimate honors of the sport's awards season -- based on votes by media, front-office personnel, MLB alumni, fans at MLB.com and the Society for American Baseball Research.

This year's GIBBY Awards feature nominees in 21 categories. Individual honors will be given for top Hitter, Starting Pitcher, Setup Man, Rookie, Breakout Hitter, Breakout Pitcher, Comeback Player and Closer. Balloting also will determine the GIBBY winners for Postseason MVP, Defensive Player, Manager and Executive.